Based on the Membranous Sheath Structure of the Fan Worm: Designing Underwater Energy Absorbers and Stabilizers
摘要
Incorporating energy absorption devices into structures to mitigate kinetic energy and protect these structures is a prevalent design concept in modern engineering. The current research focus is on high-performance energy absorbers with multilayer structures, which typically involve modifying rigid structures or filling them with special materials for energy absorption. However, due to challenges such as fluid dynamics, material corrosion, and maintenance difficulties in aquatic environments, there is a scarcity of research on underwater energy absorption devices. This paper investigates the rapid retraction and stabilization mechanism of the fan worm’s membrane-hook structure and translates it into a novel underwater energy absorber featuring 12-layer soft membranes and bidirectional anchoring hooks inspired by the fan worm’s unidirectional grip system. Compared to traditional rigid devices, this biomimetic design achieves 35% higher energy absorption efficiency and 50% greater stability under dynamic underwater loads, while maintaining corrosion resistance and low maintenance requirements. Moreover, the device also exhibits better corrosion resistance and lower maintenance requirements, giving it a distinct advantage in underwater environments.